COP26 in Context: Bright ideas in renewable energy

Today is day five of COP26, and today’s overarching theme of the conference is energy. Before you read about the events that took place today, take a look at the first two articles to contextualize the topics and discussions. Then, take a look at the last two articles to learn more about renewable energy projects that give us hope and help move the planet forward. 

• 7 ways oil and gas drilling is bad for the environment. Why do we need renewable energy, anyway? What’s wrong with the current energy sources we use?

• Explaining the exponential growth of renewable energy. Why is renewable energy growing so fast? What will happen to renewable energy in the future?

• This startup says it has found a way to cut the cost of making solar cells in half. Leap Photovoltaic is working on a way to build solar panels without the use of silicon wafers, a hard-to-manufacture component that limits production. This could mean vastly expanding domestic solar production.

• 6 cool renewable energy projects that will shape the future. China’s solar highway, the Hornsdale power reserve in South Australia, and more.

Check back tomorrow for more info on what is being explored at COP26 — and good reads to keep you informed!